Add a signature in Gmail settings

A signature is a block of text that appears at the bottom of every email you send — typically your name, title, phone number, or a closing line. Gmail lets you create one in Settings and applies it automatically to all outgoing messages.

To add a signature, open Gmail in a web browser and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select See all settings from the dropdown menu. This opens the full Settings page.

Scroll down until you find the Signature section. It appears below the Forwarding and POP/IMAP settings. Click the radio button next to Create new to start building your signature.

Key Takeaways

  • Signatures are created in Gmail Settings under the Signature section and appear automatically on every email you send.
  • You can format your signature with bold, italics, links, and images using the text editor toolbar.
  • Gmail lets you create multiple signatures and choose which one to use for each message, or set a default.
  • Signatures do not appear in Gmail's compose window until you send the email — this is normal.
  • Mobile Gmail does not support signatures, so they only appear when you send from a computer.

Type and format your signature text

A text box appears below the Create new option. Click inside it and type the text you want in your signature. This can be as straightforward as your name or as detailed as your full contact information.

The toolbar above the text box lets you format your signature. You can make text bold or italic, change the font or font size, add bullet points, or insert a link. Highlight the text you want to change, then click the formatting button.

To add an image — like a company logo — click the image icon in the toolbar. You can upload a file from your computer, paste a URL, or search Google Images. Keep images small so your signature does not make emails slow to load.

Save your signature and set it as default

Once you finish typing and formatting, scroll down and click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the Settings page. Gmail saves your signature when ready.

By default, Gmail adds your signature to all new emails you compose. If you want to turn it off for a single message, open the compose window, click the three-dot menu at the bottom, and select Toggle signature. The signature disappears for that message only.

If you created multiple signatures, you can choose which one to use before sending. Open a new email, click the three-dot menu at the bottom of the compose window, hover over Signature, and select the one you want. Gmail remembers your choice for future emails.

Create different signatures for different email addresses

If you manage multiple Gmail accounts or have a Google Workspace account with multiple email addresses, you can create a separate signature for each one. In Settings, the Signature section shows a dropdown menu at the top listing all your email addresses.

Click the dropdown to select an email address, then create a signature for that address using the same steps above. When you send from that address, Gmail automatically uses the matching signature. This is useful if you have a work email and a personal email that need different closing information.

Troubleshoot signature problems

If your signature does not appear on emails you send, first check that you saved your changes in Settings. Go back to Settings, scroll to Signature, and confirm your signature text is still there. If it is blank, you may have accidentally deleted it.

Signatures only appear in the Gmail web version — they do not show up when you send email from the Gmail mobile app on your phone or tablet. If you need signatures on mobile, you will have to type them manually or use a different email app.

If your signature appears in the wrong place or looks different than you formatted it, this is usually because the recipient's email client displays text differently. Your signature looks correct on your end. Avoid using too many colors, fonts, or images, as these can break in some email programs.

Use signatures with Gmail templates and canned responses

Gmail signatures work alongside templates and canned responses, which are pre-written email drafts you can reuse. Your signature appears at the bottom of both. This is useful if you send the same type of email repeatedly — you can create a template with your standard message and let the signature add your contact details automatically.

To create a template, compose an email, click the three-dot menu, and select Template, then Save draft as template. When you use that template later, your signature appears below the template text. Canned responses work the same way — create one in Settings under Advanced, and your signature attaches to it automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my signature before I send an email?

No — Gmail does not show your signature in the compose window. You only see it after you send the email and open it from your Sent folder, or when someone replies to you. This is normal Gmail behavior and does not mean your signature is missing.

What if I want different signatures for different types of emails?

Create multiple signatures in Settings by clicking Create new again and giving each one a different name. Before you send an email, open the three-dot menu in the compose window, hover over Signature, and pick the one you want. You can have as many as you need.

Will my signature appear if I forward or reply to an email?

Yes — Gmail adds your signature to replies and forwards by default. If you do not want it on a specific reply, open the three-dot menu in the compose window and click Toggle signature to remove it for that message only.

Can I add a signature to emails I send from my phone?

Gmail's mobile app does not support automatic signatures. You can only add signatures through the web version on a computer. If you need a signature on mobile, you will have to type it manually each time or use a different email app that supports this feature.

What happens to my signature if I delete my Gmail account?

Your signature is stored in your Gmail Settings and disappears when you delete your account. If you want to keep a copy, take a screenshot or copy the text to a document before you close the account.